Nance Road to U.S. 72 turning congestion is an enforcement issue

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - During morning rush hour, the traffic blocking the intersection of Nance Road and U.S. 72 is causing Irene Steele and other drivers difficulty in getting onto U.S. 72, Steele said in an email.

Steele said the problem occurs when she's headed north on Nance Road in the morning and wants to turn right to go east on U.S. 72.

"I have had to sit and wait until three light changes to be able to turn," Steele said.

The problem is with traffic coming south on Nance Road that is turning left to go east on U.S. 72, she said. The southbound vehicles have two lanes to turn east onto U.S. 72, she said.

"When my light turns green, they continue to turn which makes it impossible to make a right," Steele said. "They block the lane and the light changes. You are not even able to go straight to stay on Nance. This is ridiculous."

Dennis Thompson, the traffic improvements project manager with the city's Traffic Engineering Department, said the situation described by Steele sounds like a traffic law enforcement issue. He said the department would contact Huntsville police to monitor the situation.

Sutton, Taylor signal

Michael Barnett asked us to contact the city about problems with the traffic signal at Sutton and Taylor roads in certain weather conditions.

Barnett said in an email that the signal operates on a camera system. But, he said, the cameras don't work properly when it's raining or foggy, as it was on a recent morning.

A signal technician from the city Traffic Engineering office will inspect the system and make any needed adjustments to the video equipment, said Dennis Thompson, the traffic improvements project manager in the office.

Meridianville Bottom signal

The recent repaving of U.S. 231/431 between Bob Wade and Walker lanes has caused some problems with the signal timing at Meridianville Bottom Road, said Steve and Janet Lanier in an email.

They asked if someone could check the sensors that trigger the signal to change. They said it hasn't worked well since the repaving work.

"The cars line up eight (to) 10 deep to get onto (U.S. 231/431)," their email said. "Usually a car has to be coming from across the highway and that will activate the sensor."

Someone with the local Alabama Department of Transportation office will inspect the traffic loops sensors in the pavement to determine if there are any problems, said Johnny Harris, the DOT's division engineer for this area.

Sparkman, Blue Spring pavement

Lee Williams asked if the city plans to fix the uneven pavement at Blue Spring Road and Sparkman Drive.

"The paving contractors left an imbalance that causes undue stress to the front end assemblies of vehicles, especially heading west on Sparkman at that intersection," Williams said in an email.

An inspector with the city's Public Works Services Department will inspect the intersection to see if any improvements can be made, said department Director Terry Hatfield.

To leave a comment or question about traffic or roads, contact Keith Clines at 256-532-4236, email keith.clines@htimes.com, tweet @KeithClines or fax 256-532-4420.